Ts Breakfast, Lunch and Brunch

Press Kit
May 2, 2016

Company Overview
Ts Breakfast, Lunch and Brunch opened to the public in June 1982 by owners Anthony and
Tina Tomaselli. Ts is known as an old-school diner-restaurant with a traditional yet modern feel
and amazing food. There are three Rhode Island locations including Cranston, Narragansett and
East Greenwich.
The restaurant was transformed from a small variety store into an all-American restaurant that
the couple had built in Cranston Rhode Island back in the 80s. Catering for homes and
businesses was added in 1983, but soon flourished with the arrival of Tomasellis two children.
After their two children became older, they began to look at new locations for expansion.
The couple listed their 1000 square foot property in Cranston Rhode Island. Soon after listing
their property and deliberating on financial commitments; the Tomasellis decided keep and
renovate their current building. After 6 weeks of renovation, calling equipment companies, city
hall visits, painting, paving and hiring staff, Ts on Park Ave in Cranston had opened.
Around the time of 1990, Ts had evolved into a catering and lunch delivery service. Good
Food Fast, became the restaurants new and improved trademark. As the delivery system began
improving, so did the healthy menu options offered.
By 1991, Tony and Tina Tomaselli had reached their goals of running a full service restaurant
smoothly and effectively. Other financial bumps in the road were eventually were dealt with by
the couple.
One risky decision in particular involved the choice to make Ts the first non-smoking breakfast
and lunch establishment in the city of Cranston. This was done well before all of the major
chains in the Rhode Island community. This change actually back -fired in the short term of the
Ts restaurant journey, affecting the early morning business. As a new concept at the time,
people rebelled against non-smoking restaurants causing a substantial downturn in Ts revenue.
In 2005, Ts restaurant closed temporarily for 12 weeks for extensive redesign renovations of the
restaurant. The business saw over $1.2 million of new equipment, dcor and engineering.
Throughout the years, the staff has changed and the customer base has grown. The Ts brand has
become older and wiser. All the while, there have been three consistent factors to Ts success
including family, friends and the loyal customers. The Tomaselli family is extremely grateful for
the customers just discovering the restaurant to the customers that have been around for the
entire 23 year journey.

Biographies of Key People

Anthony (Tony) Tomaselli

Anthony Tomaselli is an artist constantly at work in his studio and at the Providence Art Club. A
Rhode Island native, Anthony studied Architectural Design at Boston Architectural. He is highly
motivated, creative and productive which is displayed through his work. Anthony teaches
painting classes, sells his art and coveys a positive personal style that is well received by the
public. He is well respected in the art community and gallery scene as well as the restaurant
community.

Tina Tomaselli
Tina Tomaselli is a co-owner of Ts Restaurant with her husband Anthony Tomaselli. Tina is
also a Rhode Island native and attended Community College of Rhode Island before opening
their joint business. She maintains a professional blog where she discusses topics about her life
as well as her journey with co-creating the Ts brand.
Before opening their restaurant, Tina and her husband Anthony traveled across the world in
search of inspiration for their next creative business venture. Soon after their return they planned
the development and expansion of their current variety store evolving into a breakfast and lunch
restaurant.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does Ts stand for?
Ts stands for Anthony (Tony) and Tina Tomaselli. The Tomaselli family
has been running the restaurant since they have opened.
2. Describe how Ts has influenced the Rhode Island community.
Ts has provided the Rhode Island community with a friendly dining
establishment that has done multiple out-reach and fundraising programs for
nonprofit organizations. Both Tony and Tina are extremely dedicated to
helping and growing the Rhode Island community.
3. What is Ts Mission Statement?
We built our restaurants for communities. Come to T's when you want to
feel like part of the family.
4. What is most important to Ts values?
Family and giving back to the Rhode Island community is most important to
Ts. As a growing family business, it is extremely important that families
feel welcome. Ts is also a strong supporter of the Rhode Island art
community as Anthony (Tony) is a local artist.
5. Do you plan on future expansion with new locations?
Ts is always looking for new business ventures. Currently Ts is looking to
expand the East Greenwich location.
6. Does your restaurant keep up with current dining trends?
Ts offers a seasonal menu that is constantly changing. Many of the Ts
seasonal restaurant favorites remain however there are constantly new items
being added to stay up to date with trends as well as feedback from our
guests.

Ts Restaurant Reaches $11,000 for Easter Seals Fundraiser

March 7, 2016, Cranston RI Ts Restaurants three Rhode Island locations raised $11,000
hosting their third Annual Hang Tag Campaign for Easter Seals Rhode Island to help raise
awareness for children with disabilities. Servers at all three restaurants accepted donations to the
Easter Seals organization during their hours of operation 6am-3pm.
Gina Martin, the General Manager of the Ts East Greenwich location conducted her third Hang
Tag Campaign. She worked with numerous businesses in the community including Greenwood
Elementary School, International Motor Group, Tasca Automotive Group, Beauty by Melissa at
RGE, New England Car & Van Wash, and American Marketing Association. Martin also helped
to raise awareness for Easter Seals Rhode Islands Early Intervention services while also raising
funds to support the organizations clients and families.
I feel strongly that fundraising campaigns like Hang Tag can really make a difference, said
Martin. We really have the Ts customers to thank for making the campaign such a success.
Easter Seals Rhode Island provides services to children and young adults with disabilities or
special needs. The organizations main goal is to provide families with opportunities to learn
within their community about various disabilities. George McAuliffe is the current Treasurer of
the organization and has been involved with Easter Seals RI for two years. He is also the
Business Manager of Mews Tavern in Wakefield Rhode Island.
I knew I wanted to be involved with the Board of Directors after hearing a family member
speak about her involvement with Easter Seals, said McAuliffe. Fundraising campaigns like
Hang Tag are extremely beneficial for Easter Seals and really bring the Rhode Island
community together over such an important cause.

About Easter Seals RI

Easter Seals Rhode Island provides exceptional services to ensure that all children and young adults with
disabilities or special needs and their families have an equal opportunity to live, learn, work and play in
their communities. Last year, Easter Seals Rhode Island served over 500 children and young adults Early
Intervention and Pediatric Outpatient services provided. For more information about Easter Seals Rhode
Island, please call 401-284-1000 or visit www.eastersealsri.org

###
Contact Information
Nicolas Vener
781-854-2712
nick@nicolasvener.com

Photos of the Ts Narragansett Location

Photos shot by Nicolas Vener

Dear Ms. Anderson,

I am writing to pitch a story for the upcoming Friday, May 6, 2016 issue of the Providence
Journal. Enclosed you will find the relevant attached materials.
Ts Breakfast, Lunch and Brunch is a well-known Rhode Island staple operating and expanding
for the past ten years. One aspect of Ts that is unique is that it is run by two Rhode Island
natives without prior restaurant experience. Both owners have had a fascinating and influential
journey with growing their restaurant.
Two Rhode Islanders, Anthony (Tony) and Tina Tomaselli own, manage and run the restaurant.
Both Tomasellis are community leaders through their outreach while also providing a safe and
friendly restaurant environment in each of their three locations. Tony and Tina constantly
interact with their guests to ensure their brand is represented through their passion for Ts.
The couple has been leaders among the community hosting charity events for nonprofit
organizations such as Easter Seals Rhode Island, the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource
Foundation and Narragansetts Parks & Rec Scholarship Program. All of the Ts charity
campaigns and fundraisers use the hashtag #TsCommunityInAction to effectively reach the
Rhode Island public on social media.
Ts food is known in the Rhode Island community as one of the best breakfast and lunch
establishments in the state. They are featured on Yelp and Trip Advisor as a family friendly
restaurant with over 158 positive reviews. Also at the 2013, 24th Annual Meeting of the RI
Hospitality Association, T's Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch received a National Restaurant
Association Restaurant Neighbor Award. This honor recognizes T's commitment to giving back
to the communities that they passionately support.
I anticipate the Providence Journal readers, especially the Rhode Island natives, will find the
story of Ts restaurant inspiring. I am available by phone or in person to discuss my personal
experience at Ts or provide additional information. If you have any immediate questions please
do not hesitate to call.
Sincerely,
Nick Vener
Nicolas Vener
781-854-2712
nick@nicolasvener.com